Vanscoy's Vessey helping Hilltops in all facets of the game

Over his five years with the Saskatoon Hilltops, Des Vessey has learned to contribute in different ways.

Recruited out of Delisle High School as a prime-time running back and Senior Bowl MVP, Vessey was part of the Hilltops’ one-two punch in the offensive backfield along with hard-nosed workhorse Logan Fischer.

While a knee injury has slowed him down and drastically limited his use this season, Vessey remains as the team’s top punter.

Whatever he can do to help, he’s happy to oblige.

That’s Des Vessey.

“It’s been a tough season, just with injury and stuff like that, but I’ve found a way to contribute,” the 22-year-old Vanscoy native says.

“I’ve found a way to get on the field and help where I can.”

Vessey is one of 11 graduating Toppers looking to go out in style, hoping that Sunday’s Canadian Junior Football League Prairie Football Conference final versus the Calgary Colts is not their last game.

“You know what, it’s really bittersweet as things come to an end,” Vessey says, “but we pulled out a (PFC semifinal) win against Regina — it was a huge win, a huge adrenaline pump there — and we came out and we were really happy with that win.”

Game-time is 1 p.m. Sunday (92.9 The Bull radio broadcast) as the Hilltops happily get another crack at Calgary.

“What way would you’d rather it (PFC final) end than with us getting redemption against Calgary?” Vessey asks rhetorically. “And it’s no so much redemption as it is just playing the way we know we can play because we know we’re a great team and we can do better than what we did last time.”

Vessey has punted the ball 31 times for 1,185 yards and a 38.2 average this season. He has run the ball only 16 times in three games for 68 yards and a 4.2 average.

“Right now, he’s putting a lot of focus in on the punting, which has become a big weapon for our team,” offers Toppers head coach Tom Sargeant. “He keeps the punt returns off level because he’s got that run element to him, too. I know, a couple weeks ago, we got him in and let him run a little bit, but he just doesn’t have that same strength in the knee, so we’re getting great mileage out of him as a punter and it’s making us a better football team.”

Sargeant says the ball is in Vessey’s court as far as an expanded role in the backfield.

“Part of it is, we have to be careful because he is such an important player with (Adam) Machart and (Josh) Ewanchyna in the stable, too, we’ve just got to be careful with him because, right now, his No. 1 job is to punt the ball,” says Sarge.

“In saying all that, you got to practice and he’s the one leading the running backs. He’s always the one first in line. He’s always doing the little things well for us and making a big difference, so we really appreciate Des’s leadership and commitment to Hilltop football.”

TOP HIGH SCHOOL RECRUIT

Last season, Vessey rushed the ball 52 times for 327 yards and three touchdowns for a 6.3-yard average. His longest gain was 120 yards.

Back in 2014, as a kick returner, Vessey had nine returns for 139 yards and a 15.4-yard average.

“No. 1, coming out of high school, Des was, what we felt, a top recruit out of Delisle,” recalls Sargeant. “He just had a real great running gift. He did a lot of contributions as a running back. We never really thought of him as a punter. He did some kick returning and you just look and watched him kick the ball every once in a while and it was, ‘holy cow, that looks different.’ It’s allowed us to investigate and run some different schemes. We had some big expectations that Logan and Des would be the one-two type of running backs but, unfortunately, Des hurt his knee and so then we lost a punter and a key running back. He’s not a 100 per cent, but he’s shown that true fifth-year grit.”

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Vessey has also shown his versatility with a multi-faceted kicking team.

“I’ve always had that leg,” says Vessey. “You’ve got to contribute where you can and I’ve been able to contribute that way, so it’s good.”

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